The Copa America was supposed to be a dress rehearsal for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But sacked coaches, a brawl, and an early exit for the United States threaten to overshadow the Lionel Messi mania ahead of the final between Argentina and Colombia in Miami. Where does football in the US go from here?

In this episode: 
Jon Arnold (@arnoldcommajon), Football Writer, Getting CONCACAFed

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra and Mohammed Zain Shafi Khan, with Duha Mosaad, Manahil Naveed, Veronique Eshaya, and our host Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers.

Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

The Copa America was supposed to be a dress rehearsal for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But sacked coaches, a brawl, and an early exit for the United States threaten to overshadow the Lionel Messi mania ahead of the final between Argentina and Colombia in Miami. Where does football in the US go from here?
In this episode: 
<ul>
<li>Jon Arnold (<a href="https://x.com/ArnoldcommaJon?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">@arnoldcommajon</a>), Football Writer, Getting CONCACAFed</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra and Mohammed Zain Shafi Khan, with Duha Mosaad, Manahil Naveed, Veronique Eshaya, and our host Malika Bilal. It was edited by Alexandra Locke.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this episode. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik. Munera Al Dosari and Adam Abou-Gad are our engagement producers.
Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on <a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram, </a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.threads.net/@ajepodcasts">Threads</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

The Take is a daily interview-driven international news podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Malika Bilal. Each episode focuses on conversations with journalists and people directly impacted by the news of the day, offering our listeners the context necessary to understand what's in the headlines.

With millions of global listens, it's clear the conversations we're having on The Take are worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.

The Take is a daily interview-driven international news podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Malika Bilal. Each episode focuses on conversations with journalists and people directly impacted by the news of the day, offering our listeners the context necessary to understand what's in the headlines.
With millions of global listens, it's clear the conversations we're having on The Take are worth hearing. And critics think so too. The show has won the Online Journalism Awards, the Signal Awards, Lovie Awards, and Anthem Awards, among others.

The Take

The Take - Disco

What does Copa America tell us about football in the US?

As the year wraps up, we're looking back at ten of the episodes that defined 2024. This originally aired on February 27. None of the dates, titles, or other references have been changed.

Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is rich in resources, from gold and diamonds to coltan, used to power mobile phones. It’s also the site of recent heavy fighting between government forces and the rebel group, M23, and whoever emerges on top will have control of the region’s wealth. But trapped in the middle are Congolese civilians. As the fighting intensifies, where will they go?

In this episode:


Catherine Soi (@cate_soi), Al Jazeera Correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Sarí el-Khalili, and Chloe K. Li, with Spencer Cline, Phillip Lanos, Hisham Abu Salah, Mohannad al-Melhem, and our host Malika Bilal. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this update. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer.

Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

As the year wraps up, we're looking back at ten of the episodes that defined 2024. This originally aired on February 27. None of the dates, titles, or other references have been changed.
Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is rich in resources, from gold and diamonds to coltan, used to power mobile phones. It&rsquo;s also the site of recent heavy fighting between government forces and the rebel group, M23, and whoever emerges on top will have control of the region&rsquo;s wealth. But trapped in the middle are Congolese civilians. As the fighting intensifies, where will they go?
In this episode:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Catherine Soi (<a href="https://twitter.com/cate_soi">@cate_soi</a>), Al Jazeera Correspondent
</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Sar&iacute; el-Khalili, and Chloe K. Li, with Spencer Cline, Phillip Lanos, Hisham Abu Salah, Mohannad al-Melhem, and our host Malika Bilal.&nbsp;
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Joe Plourde mixed this update. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer.
Alexandra Locke is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram,&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.threads.net/@ajepodcasts">Threads</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

2024 in Review: The armed conflict in eastern DR Congo

We are coming to you on Sundays with weekly roundups as Israel's war in Gaza and Lebanon continues. Israel killed dozens in north Gaza. Israel escalated its bombing of Syria. Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial continued. It is day 443 of the war in Gaza, where more than 45,097 Palestinians have been killed.

In this episode:
Lina Abu Akleh, (@linaabuakleh) Al Jazeera Correspondent 
Mohamed al-Attab, Al Jazeera Correspondent 
Resul Serdar, (@ResulSerdarAtas) Al Jazeera Correspondent
Mohammed Haji, (@hxji99) Al Jazeera Producer 

This episode was produced and mixed by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.

At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

We are coming to you on Sundays with weekly roundups as Israel's war in Gaza and Lebanon continues. Israel killed dozens in north Gaza. Israel escalated its bombing of Syria. Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial continued. It is day 443 of the war in Gaza, where more than 45,097 Palestinians have been killed.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li>Lina Abu Akleh, (<a href="https://x.com/linaabuakleh?lang=en">@linaabuakleh</a>) Al Jazeera Correspondent&nbsp;</li>
<li>Mohamed al-Attab, Al Jazeera Correspondent&nbsp;</li>
<li>Resul Serdar, (<a href="https://twitter.com/ResulSerdarAtas">@ResulSerdarAtas</a>) Al Jazeera Correspondent</li>
<li>Mohammed Haji, (<a href="https://x.com/hxji99">@hxji99</a>) Al Jazeera Producer&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
This episode was produced and mixed by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer.&nbsp;Alexandra Locke is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.
At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to&nbsp;https://www.aljazeera.com/survey&nbsp;and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes!

US bombs Yemen, Israel continues attacks at Gaza hospital 

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on May 10, 2023. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.

There’s an island in the Indian Ocean that’s part of France, called Mayotte – and it’s become a front line in the story of EU migration. Mayotte was part of neighboring Comoros until 1975. Now, Comorans and others migrate to Mayotte by boat, seeking asylum or a better life. 1,800 French security forces have deployed from mainland France as part of Operation Wuambushu, which means “take back” in Mayotte’s local language. The government says that the shantytowns full of people are becoming an economic, safety, and health concern. The move has sparked protests both for and against the operation.

In this episode:


Dawud Bumaye (@dawudbumaye), Afro-Feminist and Comorian Activist

Episode credits:

This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker. The original production team was Chloe K. Li, Khaled Soltan and our host, Malika Bilal. 

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on May 10, 2023. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed.
There&rsquo;s an island in the Indian Ocean that&rsquo;s part of France, called Mayotte &ndash; and it&rsquo;s become a front line in the story of EU migration. Mayotte was part of neighboring Comoros until 1975. Now, Comorans and others migrate to Mayotte by boat, seeking asylum or a better life. 1,800 French security forces have deployed from mainland France as part of Operation Wuambushu, which means &ldquo;take back&rdquo; in Mayotte&rsquo;s local language. The government says that the shantytowns full of people are becoming an economic, safety, and health concern. The move has sparked protests both for and against the operation.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Dawud Bumaye (<a href="https://linktr.ee/dawudbumaye?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&amp;ltsid=df76ce85-4a92-4f64-a06e-9c2ec3646ad4">@dawudbumaye</a>), Afro-Feminist and Comorian Activist
</li>
</ul>
Episode credits:
This episode was updated by Tamara Khandaker. The original production team was Chloe K. Li, Khaled Soltan and our host, Malika Bilal.&nbsp;
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Alexandra Locke is The Take&rsquo;s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.
Connect with us:
@AJEPodcasts on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AJEPodcasts">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ajepodcasts/">Instagram,&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AJEPodcasts">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.threads.net/@ajepodcasts">Threads</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTwjZkiFu6LhzsLUKFkYO60I">YouTube</a>

What does Copa America tell us about football in the US?

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